Sherman told themmqb.com that Seattle's star-studded secondary was able to anticipate Denver's pass routes by figuring out Manning's pre-snap hand signals during the Seahawks' 43-8 blowout of the Broncos on Sunday.

"All we did was play situational football," Sherman told the website in an interview held during one of the Seahawks' postgame victory parties. "We knew what route concepts they liked on different downs, so we jumped all the routes. Then we figured out the hand signals for a few of the route audibles in the first half."

Sherman had drinks in his hand as he spoke, themmqb.com said, but according to the website he seemed much more interested in talking about the game.

The Seahawks forced four turnovers -- three by Manning, the reigning league MVP who set NFL season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2013. Manning was harassed throughout the Super Bowl and often settled for short passes against Seattle's secondary, which also includes Pro Bowl safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.

"Me, Earl, Kam ... we're not just three All-Pro players. We're three All-Pro minds," Sherman told the website. "Now, if Peyton had thrown in some double moves, if he had gone out of character, we could've been exposed."

Chancellor and Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn also said they anticipated Denver's plays, telling The Star-Ledger earlier this week that Seattle's players were able to read Manning's eye movement.

"We were able to jump a few routes," Chancellor told the paper. "Just see everything that develops in front of you, playing off of Peyton's eyes. He takes you right to the ball every time.

"He's a great quarterback, but he definitely has tendencies and he takes you to the ball."